The Public Media Alliance are proud to join more than 140 journalism support, media development and press freedom organisations in calling for urgent support for journalists & independent media organisations during the #COVID19 pandemic. 

The callout was launched by the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) to tie in with World Press Freedom Day 2020. The full text and list of signatures can be found at the bottom of the press release.

PMA stand in solidarity with this emergency appeal.

EMERGENCY APPEAL FOR JOURNALISM AND MEDIA SUPPORT IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS

To mark World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, more than 150 journalism support, media development, and press freedom organisations and networks are making an emergency appeal for action, support and assistance to journalism organisations and independent media during the COVID-19 crisis.

Millions of people around the world are looking for reliable, fact-based journalism that can help them navigate the biggest shared challenge of our lifetime.

But at this crucial moment, independent media are facing an unprecedented existential challenge. With the perfect storm of disinformation and misinformation, repression of critical voices in many countries, and disruption caused by the COVID-19 crisis, the situation facing journalism and news media is dire. Revenues for these institutions are collapsing, and funding is decreasing just when we need it most.

The consequences will be felt globally, but the information crisis and the health crisis is certain to be most acute in resource-poor communities.